Cedar Park Parks and Rec Mtg January 12 6:30pm - Come Support the BIKE PARK

In 2012 the community presented the Parks Advisory board with a presentation for a mountain bike skills park for all levels of riders. This presentation garnered unanimous and enthusiastic approval from the 2012 parks board.

Later that same year was the presentation was made to the 4B board. The 4B board approves funding for parks projects. The 4B board unanimously approved $50,000 for a feasibility study. Additionally the 4B board encouraged the community members making the proposal to stay with the project and see it through.

In 2013 during May, June and July, monthly public input meetings were held with standing room only attendance. During these full house meetings the unused land at the Brushy creek sports park was chosen as an ideal site due to its varying terrain, proximity to the Brushy Creek Regional trail and the scenic single track that flanks the Regional trail. Also various riding features were chosen during these meetings, with an emphasis on being inviting to all age ranges and ability levels.

Over the course of the following year any community member emails requesting information to the next step went unanswered, and the parks board suffered attrition to the point of being nonexistent. The project had stagnated. 

We now have a new parks board for the next two years to see this through, and one of those board members is an avid mountain biker. A current city council member has suggested that we request to have the bike park project placed back on the agenda so that it may continue where it left off. A groundswell of support will be needed to get the project back on track.

The date of the next parks board meeting is Monday, Jan. 12 at 6:30pm. Here is the link to the meeting agenda, though it typically is not posted until late the Friday afternoon before the meeting….   http://www.cedarparktexas.gov/index.aspx?page=900     the address is included in each agenda, typically it is 450 Cypress creek rd., building 4, sometimes 3.

 We are requesting that as many people as possible show up Jan. 12 to get this great project back on track. It is crucial to have as many Cedar Park residents as possible come to the meeting and restate our case to the new board members. I know 6:30 is a tough time, but make it a family affair; bring the kids and show them how to make things happen. And let them speak too.

Right before the meeting begins, each community member will need to sign up to be able to speak for a maximum of 3 mins. This is called the Citizens Communications portion of the meeting agenda. It is during these 3 mins that each community member can express their desire to have the bike park project placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Community members will need to specifically ask for the parks board to “make a motion to put the bike park on the agenda for the next meeting”.

Information bullets highlighting some of the many benefits members can mention during their 3 min speak time.

·         Residents want more things to do locally involving active recreation that families can enjoy together

·         Off road biking promotes fitness that is fun! Much better that jogging or the gym.

·         Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. We should strive to stay current of recreation trends.

·         We have already paid for and held 3 full house public input meetings; we just want to pick up where we left off.

·         Have already received unanimous approval from the previous parks board and 4B board

·         Off road biking is an activity that families can do together. It promotes family ties.

·         Having a recreation facility such as this brings value to neighborhoods that have easy access to it. It adds value to the area.

·         Much healthier than watching TV or playing video games.

·         Favorite physical fitness activity of kids ages 6-17

·         Families can spend quality time adventuring together  

·         Provides recreation opportunities for a wide age range 6-60

·         Will help make Cedar Park known for something more than just being an affordable community on the outskirts Austin

·         Amenities such as this make communities more desirable to live in and attract health conscious residents.

·         Amenities such as this makes communities more desirable and increases resale values of nearby homes.

 Please use your 3 mins to speak your passion for off road biking and a testimony of the benefits you realize. Don't be afraid to write it down.

Please close each testimony with the request to put the bike park on the Agenda for the Parks Board meeting in February.

Make sure that a motion is made to put it on the agenda.